I was very pleased to receive a new bento box to try out from the lovely people at Laptop Lunches recently. I should say kit really, because in addition to the box itself, it also came with a set of inner containers, cutlery (spoon and fork) and a gorgeous lunch bag to put it all in.
I've wanted a Laptop Lunches box for a long time, but because they are a US based company I didn't want to pay out for international delivery. As of this week however, they are now available to buy through Amazon
The set that we received was the Galaxy Bento System 2.0. The lunch bag is insulated, patterned with a really cute alien/space design and seems to be really good quality. The bag is slightly wider than the lunch box, leaving space for a small drinks bottle or carton of juice. It has a net pocket inside (which is handy for sticking in an ice-pack or two), a zip pocket on the front and an adjustable shoulder strap.
Here's a picture of the inside of the lunch bag - I popped in a couple of mini ice packs and a carton of smoothie along with the lunch box to demonstrate the sizing.
Small Child loved the lunchbox the minute he saw it, and wanted me to make his lunch in it at the first available opportunity. Despite the fact that we were still in the middle of the summer holidays, I used it to serve up his lunch the very next day, if only because I wanted to play with it too!
In his lunch Small Child had dinosaur shaped tortilla crisps (a tutorial to make tortilla crisps can be found here), a silicone cup with garlic and herb Philadelphia cheese to spread on them, a hard boiled egg shaped like a fish (this was my first attempt at using my new egg moulds; I used a medium sized egg which was a little too small so it wasn't quite as detailed as it should have been), cucumber wedges topped with alphabet picks and some fruit (fresh pineapple chunks and raspberries), decorated with a leaf pick.
I finished the lunch off with a wooden dinosaur cupcake pick to decorate.
As you can see from my pictures, this box comes with 4 main inner containers. It also has a smaller lidded container (not shown) which is the perfect size for a portion of sauce or salad dressing, which will no doubt make an appearance in future lunches that I make. Two of the main containers also come with lids, which is really handy for keeping any 'wet' foods separate from the dry and avoiding leakage. I've shown the same lunch with the lids on below.
The containers are taller than I expected; they can hold a really decent portion of food. Because of the compartmentalised design, with a bit of clever packing this box would be really good for portion sizes suiting a whole range of appetites. This means that I will be likely to use it for years to come, adding more food to the lunches I make as Small Child grows. I'm even tempted to get another one for myself! The boxes come in range of colours and designs, and replacement parts such as the inner containers are available too.
There is a separate compartment on the side for cutlery (as I mentioned before, the kit came with a stainless steel spoon and fork, which are really great quality), into which I popped a small knife for spreading the cheese (this was my own knife, not a part of the kit). I've shown this compartment in the close-up picture below; it's also the perfect size to hold a yoghurt tube.
The only downside to the box that I can see is the number of parts to it. All of the containers are removable, which makes a little more of extra work when washing up (they are dishwasher safe though, so no extra effort for those of you with dishwashers!), and also there is the potential that they could get lost at school.
Thankfully for me, I have a very careful child, who only lost one food pick in the entire school year (fingers crossed this trend will continue!), so I don't anticipate this being a problem for us. This is a very small downside really, and on a more positive note the fact that they are removable does mean that the box can be easily be thoroughly cleaned.
Another positive to the removability is the fact that the containers are microwave safe (minus the lids), so you could heat up a portion of food in one compartment whilst leaving cold foods in the others.
In short, I am absolutely delighted with our Laptop Lunches bento kit, and anticipate using it a lot over the next few years. All of the components seem to be made to a really high quality, the lunchbox holds a decent amount of food and Small Child absolutely loves the alien design on the lunch bag.
You can now buy the boxes and kits through Amazon! Click here
Disclaimer; I received a free bento kit for the purposes of carrying out this review, however all opinions expressed in this post are my own. I have no affiliation to Laptop Lunches, and was not otherwise compensated for this review.
This post contains Amazon affiliate links; I may receive commission on items purchased through the links.
Stéphanie says
Cheese is so easy to customise ans fruits and vegetables are so colurfull!
Amy Masterson says
Very cute! Also very practical.
Victoria says
If I had to guess I'd probably say her favourite things at the moment are wraps - but she'd no doubt tell you something completely different. That's 5 year olds for you!
I do know that she'd love that lunchbox though, especially as the one she gets at the moment is plain dark blue with recycled takeaway containers inside!
kim plant says
I like cutting fruit up into sticks like carrots and also cheese into shapes x
Tomi K says
In my household the favorite for my daughter is still PB&J 🙂
Anamika a says
Favorites would be sandwiches and fruit especially bananas
veelana says
My favourite lunch foods are salads, however, my son loves wraps for school!
Ella says
I have been using samosas recently with a little tub of mango chutney as my son loves dipping. Another favourite is pita bread and hummus. He's not big on sandwiches and takes them apart so I do de-constructed sandwiches to save him the troubles 😀 Breadsticks, pitta slices, cheese sticks, ham roll and pickles are favourites.
Love the lunchbags! And as usual the blog.
kwbentodiary says
Hmm....my favourite lunch box foods will be sandwiches, fruits and cheese! But I don't make lunch box for myself so for daughter's favourite lunch box has to be Hello Kitty theme designed from breads or onigiri to fruits and bento box ^_^
Lydia says
I love hummus sandwiches or a wrap -the kiddos like peanut butter or almond butter and jelly and any kind of fruit. 🙂
Crysta says
my fave would be fresh fruit and veggies
Kayleen says
My favorite to pack for my boys is fresh fruit & veggies!
Sarah Denton says
Right now sweet bell peppers
Allison Cupid says
My favorite lunch box food are cucumbers and strawberries! Can eat them all day long!
Lisa Tulak says
Sausage, cheese and crackers ^_^ with grapes.
Jacey says
I really love laptop lunchboxes, been wanting to get one for some time. The dinosaur themed lunch really played out well in it!
Jacey says
I try to pack a variety of stuff in the lunches, I am excited to get to start packing hot lunches here soon! 🙂
Kristi berger says
Just starting to make lunches for my boy, he loves cheese meat and crackers. Any finger foods for sure. Going to make the Dino tortilla chips today!
natasha says
I'm only on my second week of packing snacks/lunches for my kindergartner. I've been using the yumbox and try to honor the food spots ie. veg in veg etc.. I've been doing a lot of grapes, apples, cheese, yogurt, carrots, cucumbers, mini pitas, popcorn, sunbutter etc. My favorite is to shape the food- Friday was stars for a job well done in his first week- today hearts because he missed a love note yesterday. I also love the mini pitas from trader joes and mini buns... makes packing fun 🙂 Thanks for this giveaway!!
natasha says
I posted a link to the giveaway on my page but don't know how to directly link to it.. the link I gave you is to my fb page where you will see the shared giveaway 🙂
Rachel says
I found a recipe on pintrest for hot buttered cherrios that are amazing! I also enjoy dry roasted soy beans and veggie chips
Hannah Bee Griffin says
Mini home-made scotcheggs, with a salad and home-made dressing. yummy.xx
lisa buckland says
i love hummus and things to dip into it, so easy! love the lunchbox
laura banks says
babybels and crackers
Mandie says
My guys are into little submarine sandwiches (made with hot dog buns), and make your own pizza's with a sandwich thin.
Stephanie Clark says
My favorite is to do a crackled hard-boiled egg with food coloring. I always take the yolk out and replace it with a "Squinkies" case full of sunflower seeds or M&M's. I also like using the little trash cans from The Trash Pack to put peanut butter or nutella in and let little man dip apple slices or pretzels into it. The little containers always make for an interesting surprise.
Aini Othman says
i would say.. pasta and rice or sushi
Nao Namo says
I love sandwiches.. any kind of sandwiches.
T. Meier says
My son's favorite lunches are PB&J sandwiches and strawberries. Would love the Laptop Lunchbox!
Sarah says
This is a beautiful set--I love it.
My favorite things to pack are fruit, crackers, and string cheese! 🙂
Jane O says
I like crackers, noodles and fresh fruits
Susie says
Onigiri (Japanese rice balls) are my absolute favourite lunchbox food, but I also love using any leftovers to make my lunch!
Tiffany says
My 5 yr old son loves when I make octopus cheese sticks and ham kabobs.
Sarah P says
If I am going to be somewhere with a microwave, then home-made soup is my top choice. And my packed lunches have always had home-made cake for a dessert - kids' favourites were top-hat buns (like butterfly buns but just a single top, travels better)
Sarah Parkin says
Mini home-made sausage rolls & mixed fruit boxes
Lynsey Buchanan says
sandwiches and fruit
Ana says
I have recently started to make myself lunches because I'm worried about eating healty, so I would say that I love to use fruit (apples, watermelon, kiwi, strawberry) 🙂
P.d I love the luches you make they are such a beauty!
Louise Fairweather says
fromage frais and dairylea cheese
Crystal says
Today we made lunch from pitta bread, homemade falafels, cucumbers, tomatoe slices, shredded cheese and a little salad dressing. It was great as the kids (3 & 5) cut up the veg themselves and had a great time making and eating their lunches.
Hud Hud says
I love sushi and fresh fruits
Rose says
I prefer fried noodle with lots of vegetable and fresh fruits
Susan Gooding says
My favourite lunch box foods are small finger foods like grapes and small healthy biscuits or slices. I find the kids are more likely to eat the smaller bite size foods. Even cutting sandwiches into smaller pieces. Then they can talk to their friends between bites.
Louise says
It has to be fruit kebabs. We like taking little heart and star cutters and making them look like princess wands!
Jenni Jones says
I love to make rollups for the lunch box!
Tilly says
Forget the lunch box - I want that lunch. Rght now. Looks lovely.
Rebecca says
My favorite lunchbox foods are pretty much all raw fruits and vegetables. We particularly love raw corn on the cob!
Corinne says
Favourite lunch box food? Probably grapes and cheese, sometimes together, sometimes apart. Grapes are good fillers for bento, and yummy cold or room temp. Cheese is ace for cutting into shapes and adds extra protein! yum.
Eileen says
Sandwiches, fruits, veggies. My kids don't eat many things but they are getting better I like to think it's because they are manageable portions and pleasing to the eye.
Anna says
Leftovers! Great giveaway!
Alisha Trapp says
Favorite lunch box food is anything my son will eat! He would rather play than eat.
Kathleen says
We love to pack little sandwiches, cut up veggies and fruits... and so much more!
Capture by Lucy says
Fab! I love it! Pinned to #BentoBabies and good luck with the comp 🙂
Rebecca Phillips says
wraps, cheese and fruit or veggies!
Cat Williams says
Cucumber and celery
Craftymummy says
Pasta salads, wraps, bagels, cheese and fruit.
Gemma says
Fruits and Veggies
Tracy Claire says
Looks lovely and fab for a nice balanced diet x
jade bremner says
My favs in a pack up lunch is cheese sticks, pasta, some yoghurt covered fruit and Bananas
Debbie says
We have been doing bento lunches for 4 years now, and only last year found out that they had a name! My sons current favorite to get is goats cheese, crackers and a sliced peperami. Not the most 'healthist' of mains for a lunch, but their is always chopped veg - mostly cucumber/carrots, some fruit, blueberries, strawberries, apple or pear. A little 'treat' - banana muffins, flap jack or shop bought treat like a freddo bar. Other fav is bagels n cheese, but not melted!
Sophie Jeffery says
I love to pack fruits and vegetables! They're so colorful and add are easy to cut up or accessorize 🙂 If you asked my daughter, she'd probably say Nutella sandwiches hahaha!
Jessie says
That is a great review, and I LOVE the dinosaur crisps!
My favorites for lunches are fruits and veggies, and also cheese. A lunch made solely of fruit, cheese, and maybe some crackers would be my favorite. I also like packing mini muffins for the kids.
VeganistaMama says
My favorite is soup. My son's favorite though is vegan pepperoni and earth balance sandwiches on sprouted bread, with a little bit of daiya cheese.
Amy A. says
I don't have any favorites. I'm always looking for something new to put in rotation for my son's lunch.
Super Busy Mum {Debs} says
Fruit, sarnies, yogurts! I love how you did up your lunchbox! Looks amazing x
Laura @mummytoboyz says
Crackers, cheese and grapes are always a favourite!
Pinkoddy says
I am loving these dinosaur lunches